Julian walked rather quickly back to the car and she couldn’t help but laugh at him.

“Are you into power walking all of a sudden Julian, a new form of exercise?” Eve asked.

“Oh not at all dear, the exercise is yet to come.” He said winking at her.

“Julian Crane!” she said laughing.

They arrived back at the car, Julian opened the door for her and she sat down, she could feel herself getting nervous again, as she had pretty much instigated this. Julian sat down next to her, removing his sunglasses from his back pocket and putting them away.

“I don’t want to crush them do I?” he said.

“No I guess not Julian.” She said feeling a bit awkward.

“How about some music?”

“Sure.” Eve said.

He played with the seek and scan button, trying to find something that was worth listening to.

“I can’t believe that some of the teenagers today think this is music. They wouldn’t know what real music was if it hit them in the head. I remember the good days when you could understand every word in a song, now they just scream it.”

Eve just stared at him wondering exactly where he was going with this conversation.

“I’m sorry, do I sound like a dork to you? Maybe I better get with the times.”

“Actually I do agree with you Julian, some of it is crap, but you have to have an open mind, what about the number of upcoming artists you have let use the Crane studio?”

“Okay true, I will give you that, it’s just that I still like some of the old stuff you know?” Julian said.

“Yes I know.” She said smiling.

“Sorry, sometimes I get side tracked, never mind about the music.” He said trying not to bore her.

After finding something decent to listen to, he left it on very softly just as background noise. He took her hand, kissing it ever so gently. Eve couldn’t help but smile at him; he always had excellent timing when it came to being sweet.

“What would you like me to do Eve?” Julian asked.

She looked at him surprised.

“You really aren’t shy are you?” she asked.

“Not at all, I can’t be shy with you, I hope that’s not a problem. But I feel like we have such a special bond, that I can tell you anything and everything. I am the type of person that if there is something you want me to do, I will do it. I believe in making the other person happy, do you know what I mean?”

“Yes I know what you mean, I just want to take things at a good pace.”

“That’s fine by me, whatever you are comfortable with.” Julian said.

This was always an awkward moment in any relationship, but Eve decided to take the initiative first. She undid the first button on his shirt, looking at him for approval. He nodded of course and she undid each one taking her time.

“Eve you don’t have to be so gentle you know, if you want to just rip it off, feel free.” He said devilishly.

“Julian!” she said surprised.

“Hon, I am not trying to be forward or anything, but I am just letting you know that you don’t have to be timid around me. Whatever you want to do, I am fine with, I can even help you out if you like.”

“Help me Julian?”

“Yes Eve.”

He removed the shirt himself and threw it in the backseat.

“Now if you want to explore, I am all yours Eve.”

She looked at him for a few brief moments before making a move once more. She ran her hands up and down his chest leaning forward to give him a tender kiss. She wasn’t sure exactly how far she wanted to go with him, but she just took it slow. He couldn’t help but want to just grab her and go with it, but he knew he had to let her do what was right for her. If he had learned anything this time around, it was to have as much patience as he could. After all, this was Eve and he loved her so much that he wasn’t willing to risk making any more mistakes with her. Julian cupped her face in his hands and kissed her quite passionately bringing her close against him. Eve brought his hand to the first button on her blouse. Julian wanted so much to just rip it off, but he undid each button precisely. Eve watched him, his eyes quite wide with anticipation at what he would find underneath it. Eve looked at him when he opened the blouse to reveal her black lace bra.

“My Eve, how lovely you are.” He said as he slipped the blouse off of her shoulders and placed it in the back seat with his shirt.

Julian couldn’t help but play with the bra straps, moving them up and down on her shoulders. He was eager to explore the possibilities.

“Before you go any further, aren’t you concerned that someone might see us Julian?”

“No Eve, not at all, as you can see the windows are tinted in the car and I am Julian Crane. If someone catches us, I only have to bring out my roll of bills and I can buy their silence.”

“Money isn’t everything Julian.”

“I know that Eve, but it does come in handy in certain situations”

“Okay that is true, but I think maybe we should have a little more privacy.”

“Do you want me to park the car in another spot?”

“Yes, privacy is a good thing.” Eve said.

He moved the car farther down the road and when he turned off the ignition, she grabbed the keys and put them in the pocket of her Capri’s.

“You do realize by taking those keys, it will be just impossible for me to start this car up again, or is that your plan?” he said winking.

“Maybe.” She said smiling.

Julian leaned over her to the side of the seat to adjust the lever, so her seat would move back as far as it could.

“What are you doing?” Eve said.

“Oh nothing really, I just thought you would prefer to be lying down a bit, is that okay?” he said staring at her.

“I think it’s more for your advantage than mine Julian.” Eve said smiling.

“An advantage for me, nah, never, but would you lean forward just slightly?” he asked.

“Okay.”

Julian brought his hands to her back to undo the clasp on her bra. She sat there, not saying a word. But after a moment or so, he seemed to be struggling with it.

“Do you need a bit of help there?” Eve said.

“Darling, I don’t know why they make these bras the way they do. Here I am trying to well, you know and then I can’t even get the bloody thing undone. Remind me to write the manufacturer for killing the mood. I may need a pair of pliers to pry that thing off.” He said laughing.

She loved his sense of humour; he definitely knew how to make an awkward moment easier. He noticed after a few moments, he was still struggling with it.

“Why don’t I just undo it Julian?” she said.

“Sure.”

Julian watched her intently as she undid it and slipped it off her arms. His expression became serious once more as he looked at her. She couldn’t help but blush slightly, as a woman, she always felt a bit awkward when a man stared like that, feeling quite a bit on display. She then folded her arms across herself, but Julian took them away.

“No Eve, don’t do that honey.”

“But Julian…”

“Please don’t cover yourself up, you are so exquisite.” He said touching her face.

“I’m just a little self-conscious with you staring at me like that.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to make you feel that way, and it’s just that I can’t help myself.”

“Oh Julian.”

“It’s true Eve, you are so wonderful inside and out. I kick myself every day for abandoning you in your time of need.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself Julian, I know the regrets you have in your life, but we have come a long way even since you saved Whitney’s life in the elevator. I remember when you kissed me that day in the hospital, I was so mad at you at the time.” Eve said laughing.

“I am sorry about that, I did deserve a good punch for that and I wouldn’t have been surprised if you leveled me. But again, my dear, I just couldn’t help myself even then. You were so close to me, I can’t remember having you that near in such a long time. I was so mesmerized by your beauty Eve that I just couldn’t help but take the risk and kiss you. I know it was wrong, but my feelings were so strong even then. When you were doing up my shirt, I kept thinking to myself, my God, how could I have let you go? You were and still are the most amazing woman I have ever met.”

“Julian, I don’t know what to say except that more and more everyday I can see how much you love me.”

“I do Eve, I love you so much.”

Eve hugged him tightly and Julian couldn’t help but be in heaven as Eve’s body was pressed up against his. He never thought he would see the day, to even imagine being able to hold her. But it was here and although their relationship wasn’t out in the open, this was definitely a start. Anytime he could share with her was memorable.

“Eve?” he said looking at her.

“Yes?”

“I am happy, but I am also sad with our current situation.”

“You mean because I am with T.C.?” She said.

“Well sort of, I mean I am happy to be spending time with you, but sad as well because every time I see you walk away, I just want to run after you and give you at least one more hug and kiss before you go. I can’t help it; I am not trying to be selfish like my old self, but does this make sense at all?” he asked.

“Yes, I understand where you are coming from. The more time we spend together, the more time we don’t want to be apart. If we can get past this hurdle and find ways to be together, maybe it will be easier.” Eve said.

“I hope so Eve, I will wait no matter what, but I do long for the day, if ever, for it just to be the two of us.”

“I know Julian.” She said touching his cheek.

He leaned forward, giving her a very deep and sensual kiss. Eve enjoyed kissing him, his mouth was very inviting, he was always very affectionate and he knew exactly how to make her happy. Eve played with the back of his hair and he loved it. They had a unique kind of relationship, although they were lovers of the past and there was the familiarity of it all, there was something exciting about being close to one another again after so many years. Julian brought out everything in Eve that she had been hiding for years it seemed. She was able to be more romantic, expressive, just everything with him that she couldn’t be with T.C. Julian brought out the real passion in her, something she had been lacking in her marriage. She loved being able to be herself around him. There were so many sides to Eve that a lot of people didn’t know about and at least even though it was behind closed doors with Julian, she was free.

Julian ran his fingers up and down her back, his hands warm and strong. She held him tighter, loving being this close to him, he noticed that she was more relaxed than before so he began to explore a little more. As Eve kissed him, Julian moved his hands to her chest, and she let him caress her. She suddenly felt like there was no other place in this world she wanted to be than in Julian’s arms. Julian kissed her neck, her shoulders, wanting her to feel loved, exploring her body with his mouth. When Eve lay back further in the seat, Julian moved his body on top of hers so he could be even closer to her. He looked at her for a brief moment, gazing into her eyes and playing with her hair. Their attraction and chemistry to one another was unbelievable, a feeling that couldn’t be put into words, more into actions of the love that they had for one another. As Julian caressed her, Eve slipped her hands down to his jeans fighting with the belt that was always in the way at the worst times. He could see the frustration in her face as she tried to undo it, sort of like his experience with the bra.

“Let me Eve.” He whispered.

He continued to kiss her fervently when she undid them. He didn’t stop Eve and as he felt her hand upon his boxers, he felt like he couldn’t breathe, the anticipation of getting this close to the woman he loved was almost unbearable. Julian then moved his hand to her Capri’s, and even though he wanted to rip them off like he wanted with her blouse, he wouldn’t. This was to be a special moment between them. This wasn’t just another romp with Rebecca; this was Eve, and the woman he loved more than life itself. Julian undid them and started to move them down past her hips, noticing her sexy panties she had on, but Eve grabbed his hand.

“Julian, no, we have to stop.”

He looked at her, surprised by her actions.

“I’m sorry dear, did I upset you?”

“Oh no Julian, not at all, look I know you wanted to go further, but I just feel that maybe it’s best if we just wait right now. This won’t be the only time we will get to be together or at least I hope not. And I know that it can be hard to stop like that for you, after all, you are a man right?”

“Well the old me would have tried as much as I could to get into your pants. Not too sound vulgar or anything, but I would have Eve. But I am not like that anymore honey. When I say I have changed, I really mean it and I will respect your decision to stop here.”

“Thank you Julian, I hope that you don’t think I’m not attracted to you or anything because believe me I am, I do want to be with you, just not here Julian.”

“You don’t have to explain, it’s important that we communicate what we want and need. I am a very open person, you can talk to me about anything sweetheart. And I think if a man can’t be grown up enough to respect the woman they love, then they aren’t ready for a real relationship, so thank you for speaking up.” Julian said.

They sat there for a while talking and then headed back to the hotel.